Alumni Board of Directors
Vernon Avant Executive Business Consultant HCMKC Olathe, KS (913) 908-4667 |
![]() Susan Baker B.A., History, 1983; M.A.E., Counseling, 2001 School Counselor, Johnston High School Waukee, IA Favorite UNI Memory: I worked in food service in the Towers and have made lifelong friends. I had the opportunity to teach in an international school, which I found the job through UNI’s Overseas Placement Fair. |
![]() Willie Barney B.A., Sociology/Teaching Certification, 1996; M.A.E., School Counseling, 2001; Doctorate of Educational Leadership, 2007 Executive Director of Supplemental Services, Waterloo Community Schools Cedar Falls, IA Favorite UNI Memory: Although I didn’t realize it at the time, the smaller classes and closeness of everything on campus was perfect. I realized how huge this was for me after lecturing in a class at Iowa. I couldn’t have imagined being in a lecture hall with 400 kids and having my classes spread all over the place. The class sizes at UNI allow you to make connections with your professors and students in your classes that I’m not sure are easily attained in larger environments. |
Debora Blume B.A., Broadcast Journalism, 1994 Senior Implementation and Communications Professional West Des Moines, IA Favorite UNI Memory: Living in Campbell Hall/MASH House and meeting so many people who are still my friends today. |
![]() David Boyer B.A., Business Administration, 1990 President, Boyer Petroleum Company Cumming, IA (515) 243-4450 What do you like most about UNI? I love coming back to campus and seeing everyone who loves being a Panther! |
![]() Drew Conrad M.P.P., Public Policy, 1993 Economic Development/Senior Program Manager, Institute for Decision Making, University of Northern Iowa Waterloo, IA Favorite UNI Memory: The people! The students, faculty and staff cared and were proud to be at UNI! They truly made it a unique place for me and my graduate education. |
![]() Grant Erwin B.A., Criminology and Family Services, 2007 High School Math Teacher, Pritzker College Prep. Chicago, IL (319) 404-0254 Favorite UNI Memory: One of my favorite memories was starting up the Relay for Life event with a few friends and then seeing it grow over the years I was here. |
![]() Daniel Fick B.A., Biology, 1985 Physician, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine Coralville, IA (319) 354-8298 Favorite UNI Memory: My wife and I were athletes for UNI in the 80's. I ran track and cross country and Deb was a swimmer. We have had the pleasure of watching our daughter and son compete for the Panthers on the track and cross country teams. We greatly enjoy yelling "Go Panthers!" at the meets. |
![]() Jerry Glazier B.A., Psychology, 1977 Former Telecom Executive - Consultant in Corporate/Community Relations and Human Resources Kansas City, MO (816) 210-0960 Favorite UNI Memory: The many life-long friends I have made and still to this day stay in regular contact with. |
![]() Virgil Goodrich B.A., Mathematics and Physical Education, 1967; M.A., Education, 1974 Retired, Superintendent Aplington-Parkersburg Community School District Parkersburg, IA (319) 269-7442 Favorite UNI Memory: Meeting my wife in a class that she received a higher grade. |
Jerry Harris Chief Operations Officer Western Home Communities Cedar Falls, IA (319) 230-7688 |
Michele (Livingston) Haupt B.A., Social Science Education, 1983 Section 8 Advantage Coach, Sioux City Housing Authority Sioux City, IA Favorite UNI Memory: My favorite memories are all the people--friends especially, but also the professors. I also loved Christmas songs from the campanile. |
Jeffrey Hoppenworth B.A., English, 1973 Waukesha, WI (414) 719-4127 |
![]() Steven Jackson M.B.A., Business Administration, 1996 HRIS Sr. Analyst, Centura Health Littleton, CO Favorite UNI Memory: 2010 Panther victory over top-seeded Kansas in the NCAA Tournament. |
![]() Nicole (Tremel) Juranek B.A., English Education, 2000; M.A., Communication Education, 2004 Professor, Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA Favorite UNI Memory: Joining the UNI speech team was the most life-changing moment for me in college. Today, this is my career! |
![]() Jason Lau, Ph.D. B.A., Leisure Services, 1999; M.A., Leisure, Youth & Human Services Administration, 2002 Executive Director of School of Extended and International Education, Sonoma State University San Rafael, CA Favorite UNI Memory: I had a great experience participating in the Camp Adventure Child & Youth Services program serving military families worldwide. |
![]() Bonnie (O'Neill) Malone B.A., English, 1953, M.A. Counseling/Student Development from University of Iowa, 1978 Retired High School Counselor Cedar Rapids, IA Favorite UNI Memory: The Campanile and its legends, of course-and my major advisor and mentor Dr/ William B. Reninger. But life to me has always been about friendships and I treasure to this day the company of people I lived with, studied with, socialized in my years at Iowa State Teacher’s College. The fact that we are still connected (and conversant) is a joy. |
![]() Teresa Matson B.A., 1976 Vice President/Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo Minneapolis, MN Favorite UNI Memory: My favorite memory about UNI is living in Campbell Hall all four years I was there. I still have life-long friends that I met by living in Campbell. I also had a great experience playing in the UNI Marching Band for four years as well. |
![]() Kevin Mote B.A., Finance, 1987 VP Trust Officer/Property Manager, MidWestOne Bank Mt. Vernon, IA (319) 356-5963 Favorite UNI Memory: Love the fact that it is a hybrid school-smaller than U of I or ISU but similar to a Cornell or Coe College (smaller classes, small campus, etc.) Plus, it’s mostly Iowa kids who stay in Iowa. |
![]() Kelly Neiber B.A., Education: P.E./Coaching, 1985 Special Ed Teacher, West Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC (515) 250-7081 Favorite UNI Memory: So many great memories: -Being a part of a group that hosted a haunted house in the attic of Lawther -Paw Club member for wrestling -Orienteering class and camp out |
![]() Connie (Sander) Peters B.A., Elementary Education, 1973; Library Media Certification, 1986 Retired Educator Cedar Falls, IA (319) 240-1160 Favorite UNI Memory: Being an Orchasis member from '69-'71. |
![]() Beth (McKee) Primrose B.A., Education, 1966 Retired Elementary Teacher, Cedar Falls Community Schools Cedar Falls Favorite UNI Memories: The Campanile and Prexy's Pond! |
![]() Allison (Cink) Rickels B.A., Public Relations, 2001 Executive Director/CEO, The FarmHouse Foundation Kansas City, MO (816) 507-0040 Favorite UNI memory: My favorite UNI memories all start with joining Alpha Phi sorority as a first-semester freshman. Alpha Phi was my launching pad to get involved at UNI, gave me the best friends I could have ever had in college, enabled me to be a leader, helped me meet so many terrific people, gave me a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself and truly made UNI feel like home. For example, as a first-semester freshman, I volunteered to help with a service project for an organization within my major and I was turned down – they said they had enough people. At the same time, I raised my hand to volunteer in a leadership role with my Alpha Phi chapter and I was elected. I was elated. Both were eye-opening and humbling, influential experiences for me. While I was told “no” by one group, I was given a chance by my sorority to get involved. Alpha Phi empowered me - gave me the confidence, opportunities and leadership skills I needed, and I never looked back. I caught the bug and volunteered as much as I could at UNI. In turn, when I graduated, I was a named a Lux Award Recipient, UNI’s highest honor given to 5 undergraduates each year for their service to the university and community. This honor is one I am most proud of, not because of what I did, but because of my Alpha Phi sisters. They afforded me this incredible honor – they inspired, challenged, empowered and believed in me, especially when I was that first-semester freshman raising my hand. Alpha Phi gave me a chance and thousands of unforgettable memories. |
![]() Christine Robovsky B.A., General Studies, 1998 Compensation Consultant, Deloite Consulting LLP Chicago, IL Favorite UNI Memory: During my time at UNI, I met some great people that have remained close friends to this day. I truly value the time I spent here and the education I received. |
![]() Jake Rudy B.A., Political Science and Sociology, 2011 Academic Advisor, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN Favorite UNI Memory: The visit by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. I was a member of the Summer Orientation Staff that summer, and we were asked to help staff the event, which drew people from across the country to Cedar Falls. The event was a sight to see, and his message of inclusion and humility really resonated with me. |
Catherine (Kruger) Smith B.A., M.A. Retired from AIB College of Business West Des Moines, IA (515) 669-7215 Favorite UNI Memory: Walking around campus in spring evenings--so peaceful. |
![]() Megan L. Stull M.A.E., Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs, 2008 Assistant to the President, Clarke University Dubuque, IA (319) 430-6681 Favorite UNI Memory: I had an outstanding graduate education experience at UNI! I met amazing people and was fortunate to be part of a cohort who became close friends. Many of my best friends are those I met at UNI. I also had the opportunity to work with a lot of great UNI people through my practicum experiences in Admissions, Academic Advising, Athletic Advising and Alumni Relations. I also loved that UNI was close to home – being able to attend UNI events with my parents was really special. |
![]() Kai Takatsuka B.A., Sociology, 2004 Academic and Career Coach, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN (207) 712-9277 Favorite UNI Memory: Being an Orientation Leader for the Summer of 2002! |
![]() Dustin Toale B.A., Real Estate & Finance, 2016 Real Estate Broker, Compass Real Estate Chicago, IL (319) 327-0001 Favorite UNI Memory: Over the course of my four years at UNI, I had the opportunity to represent the University as both TC and TK. While attending weddings, sporting events, meet-and-greets, and so much more, I saw the University from a very unique perspective. I will forever remember all the blood, sweat, and more sweat that went into my experiences and how I was able to do my part in giving back to UNI. #AwwTC |
![]() Lindsay (Varcoe) Wagoner B.A., Business Administration, 2004 Lawyer, Rockwell Collins, Inc. Cedar Rapids, IA Favorite UNI Memory: Watching the Panthers beat the Hawkeyes in any sport! |
![]() Jamal White B.A. Marketing and Organizational Leadership NISG Student Body President Saint Charles, IA (641) 223-0934 |